This year’s Garden Tour will feature six to eight gardens from Santa Cruz to Scotts Valley and Ben Lomond. The gardens will be available to tour from 10am to 4pm.

The very popular English Tea Luncheon will be available by reservations at various seating times. Lucy Gowan and Vicky Granger-Jones have graciously agreed to organize the tea (thankfully!) and we are looking forward to their wonderful variety of goodies.

Also, we would again like to have garden-related art items for sale at the church during the Tea Luncheon. If you would like to have items for sale, or would consider donating one or more items, please contact us.

We are looking for sewers who would be willing to help make aprons for the luncheon servers. A pattern and material will be provided, of course, we just need some help sewing! Please call Sheryl if you can help.

Back by popular demand is the very successful Raffle! We already have several items donated, but still need a few more. If you can donate a garden-related item for the raffle, please call Nancy Jackson.

The Mosaic Workshop held last year in preparation for the Garden Tour was a huge success and we had lots of fun making mosaic stepping stones. We will again be holding a workshop to make mosaic items (pots, stepping stones,

Spring Garden Tour and English Tea Luncheon

Saturday, May 8, 2004

birdhouses, etc.). This event has been scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 9am to 3pm. A sign-up sheet for this workshop can be found on the table just outside the church sanctuary. If you would like to make a mosaic item, please bring broken plates, tiles, glass pieces, etc. Also, tile clippers, disposable gloves, a sponge, old towel and hammer if possible.

We are looking forward to our second annual Garden Tour and Luncheon and hope you can join us! Tickets for the Tour and Luncheon will be available for sale in April.

If you have any questions, or are available to help on the big day or with planning before-hand, please contact one of the co-chairs.

Sheryl McEwan
Janet Lennon

St. Philip’s held its Annual Congregational Meeting on Sun., Jan. 25. Jane Ellis, Karen Krestensen and Carter Potts were honored for completing their 3-year terms on the Bishop’s Committee (leadership council). Elected for new 3-year terms were Bill DeRouchey, Vicky Granger-Jones and Barbara Lyon. Elected as delegates to Diocesan Convention were Karen Krestensen, Scot Olivier, Donna Seelbach, Jim Sotelo, and alternates: Bob O’Brien and Cindy Hershberger.

Treasurer Bob O’Brien and Fr. Martin presented the 2003 financial reports and 2004 budget. We celebrated the generosity and hard work that completed 2003 and led to increased pledges for 2004. Nevertheless, our challenges for the year include finding a tenant for the upstairs offices and moving ahead in mission and service to God and our community.

Our new Bishop’s Committee is off and running. Lucy Gowan has been reappointed Bishop’s Warden, and Bill DeRouchey has been elected to the new position of Junior Warden. Bruce Clift will serve as Clerk this year. The committee will meet all day on Sat., Feb. 28 to build community and set goals for the year. Bill DeRouchey is heading up a committee to study and market the upstairs rental. The BC has asked John Gallagher and Val Jackson to propose repairs to our very uneven back patio. Discussion is also beginning on hiring a Nursery staff person or arranging other regular ministers in the Nursery.

Beginning the Year of our Lord 2004

On Sat., Feb. 7, Bishop Shimpfky ordained William Arthur Kelly to the Deaconate, here at St. Philip’s. A number of diocesan clergy were present for this wonderful service. Presenters were drawn from St. Philip’s, Trinity Cathedral, the diocesan Commission on Ministry, and the United Church of Christ (in which Bill was ordained many years ago). Bill will continue his part time work at Trinity Cathedral to the end of June; we look forward to his continuing ministry here at St. Philip’s as well. He will be ordained to the priesthood in six months to a year. Bill designated the offering at the service for Episcopal Relief and Development (learn more at
http://www.er-d.org/); $818 was contributed!

Eight days later, Bishop Shimpfky returned to St. Philip’s for his last Annual Visitation. Sonshine Doty, Taylor Dodds, Katherine Rolly, and Marie Sanguinetti made their mature commitment to Jesus Christ and received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Shimpfky led the entire congregation in the Renewal of our Baptismal Promises, which are the basis of all Christian ministry. Following this exciting service (with contemporary music, led in part by guest guitarist Rusty St. Cyr of Bethany), the Bishop met for prayer and conversation with the Bishop’s Committee, then had lunch with the confirmands, Vicar, and Youth Pastor Sally Arcarese.

Fr. Martin